My Feelings After My Research

After doing some research I decided to make a quick video to say what I liked in an opening title sequence.

 

Researching Film Opening Sequences 3

Reservoir Dogs - 1992

Reservoir dogs has become one of the most iconic title sequences in history. It's simplicity is unforgettable and is both cinematic and dramatic. The sequences features a gang of well dressed me walking in slow motion. The titles appear on top of the clip. The shot changes only briefly to a black background where the names of production stuff etc. are illustrated.

A major strength of this clip is its simplicity. The slow motion movement of the men in matching suits is recognisable as Reservoir Dogs and can be easily mimicked by other people. As well as this, I feel the fact that clip is imbedded within the story line more interesting and less boring than a separate unrelated title sequence. The clip uses close ups of all of the men and then displays the actors name below them. The costumes which match along with the 'cool' soundtrack suggest mafia culture and gang violence. To add to this the slowed movements adds to the sophistication of the clip. The simple placement of the text with the actors is clever as we can clearly see who plays which part as well as subtle.

Researching Film Opening Sequences 2

The Devil Wears Prada - 2006

The Devil Wears Prada opening sequence is very different to that of Catch Me If You Can. The Devil Wears Prada uses photographs of objects (the objects contrast greatly) that relate to the film and it's characters. The pace is reasonably calm. Serif fonts are used which connote sophistication and elegance.

The major strength of this opening sequence is that it illustrates the themes of the play from the beginning (contrasts being a major one). Furthermore, at the end of the scene if flows into the film; this is significant as the sequence is boring as a stand alone clip however interesting as part of a film - it doesn't make the viewer overthink. A split screen is used with serif font. The colours of the font are red and black and the pace is slow, this all illustrates sophistication but the colour red suggests danger. The images portrayed to us suggest the film will be about fashion and business. Furthermore, the song playing in the background is also calm (and in French) further alluding to passion, elegance and fashion. Pans and tilts are used to slowly reveal to us the pictures on show.

Researching Film Opening Sequences

Why?

To help improve my knowledge on film opening sequences I researched three different openings.

Catch Me If You Can - 2002

The title sequence to 'Catch Me If You Can' has become one of the most iconic and influential title sequences of all time. The infamous 'retro' animated clip alludees to the story line as minimalist cartoons act out a vague recreation of the plot. The sequence is strong as it's fresh and rememberable and also entertaining. Furthermore, the titles are smartly imbedded in the animated clip almost seamlessly; characters interact with the names of directors, actors etc. However, there are some minor weaknesses in the amimation. Some could argue that the clip breaks away from the film too much - the clip works as a stand alone sequence rather than being a seamless addition to the film.

The cinematography in the clip is complicated. Due to it being a cartoon, certain pans, zooms, tilts etc. 'magically' transform into different scenes. However, like in a live action clip the Mise En Scene is useful for an understanding of a film; the location of airports and costumes of air hostes' mirror the film. Furthermore car chase can be seen as well as people following others, mirroring the tile 'Catch Me If You Can'. The sound is upbeat and of a fast pace. This further connotes and idea of chasing and confusion. There are also moment of calm within the music suggesting hiding. The whole clip has been edited as it is a cartoon. Again however, much of the editing is seamless and shots flow into one another. 

Opening Sequence To 'Jackie Brown'

Opening Sequence To 'Jackie Brown':

My first task was to create a timeline of credits and titles that appear in a two minute opening sequence. My partner and I chose to look at Jackie Brown, a 1997 crime drama by Quentin Tarantino. The opening scene uses the song 'Across 110th Street' by Bobby Womack throughout. Once the production company credits are shown,  the first shot is displayed and the following titles are projected on top of this. Bellow is the timeline and sequence.

• Interestingly I noticed that the names of 'co-stars' were displayed on screen for less time then the main stars.
• The music matched the pace od the sequence perfectly.
• The shots were not complex and changed rarely.

 



0:00: Animated ‘Miramax International’ logo

0:15: ‘A Band Apart’ logo

0:20: Introduction of set – A blue wall

0:21: ‘Miramax Films Presents’

0:24: ‘A Band Apart’

0:28: ‘A Film By Quentin Tarantino’

0:34: Character slides into shot

0:36: ‘Pam Grier’

0:41: ‘Samuel L. Jackson’

0:46: ‘Robert Forster’

0:51: ‘Bridget Fonda’

0:56: ‘Michael Keaton’

1:01: ‘and Robert De Niro’

1:07: Film Title ‘JACKIE BROWN’

1:16: ‘Co-Starring Michael Bowen’

1:21: ‘Lisa Gay Hamilton’

1:24: ‘Tommy “Tiny” Lister, Jr’

1:28: ‘Hattie Winston’

1:32: ‘Sid Haig’

1:37: ‘Aimee Graham’

1:41: ‘and Chris Tucker as Beaumont’

1:46: Shot changes to an airport security check

1:47: ‘Casting by Jaki Brown & Robyn M. Mitchell’

1:52: Shot changes to someone being searched

1:57: Character’s seen walking

1:58: ‘Costume designer Mary Claire Hannan’

Mise En Scene
This clip is perfect for analysing Mise En Scene. The costume (that of an air hostess) perfectly gives us an insight to the character. Furthermore the location (an airport) clearly establishes where action will take place. Props all further connotes travel and security. The lighting is high key and suggests the film will contain light hearted themes.
Cinematography
The cinematography for this film is very basic. A tracking shot is used for the majority of the opening follow the main character. This suggests the importance and relevance of 'Jackie Brown'. Other than this the only interesting piece of cinematography is a tilt to reveal a man being searched.
Editing
The editing in the film is also very basic. However, the font for the logo is very bold and 'camp'. Being a Tarantino film this could suggest the film will be exaggerated and in your face. The colours also suggest fun and resemble that of superhero's.
Sound
The music used was calmly paced. It matched the airport environment perfectly. At no point was diegetic sound used within the first two minutes. This could be done to keep the viewers attention on the titles rather than the story. 

The Blog Begins

Who Am I & What Is This Blog About?

My name is Tyler Lewis Kilden and I am currently studying AS Media Studies at Ravens Wood School. On this blog I shall be documenting my journey to create a 2 minute opening film sequence with titles for my Year 12 coursework. Here on the blog I will display all my creative processes, important decisions, brainstorms, final piece and any other work I do on my way to create the finished product.

Wish Me Luck!